Across Fading Borders: The Challenges of East-West Migration in the EU

The accession to the EU of 10 new Member States in 2004 and Bulgaria and Romania in 2007 confronted the 'old' Member States with the question whether they should open their labour markets to citizens from the new Member States; and these citizens with the question of whether to take the opportunity and establish a new life abroad.

In 2004, the UK, Ireland and Sweden were the only countries that fully opened their borders immediately; last year, more countries followed suit. But in the meantime a debate has erupted about the impact of East-West migration, and the fate of the immigrants themselves.

The British Office for National Statistics dubbed the influx "the largest single wave of foreign in-movement ever experienced by the UK," and media and research reports have portrayed hardworking employees and grateful employers. But reports have also called attention to exploited migrants, overwhelmed schools and institutions, and a far right eager to capitalise on resentment against the newcomers.

The economies of the countries of origin benefit from the money sent home by those who left, and indirectly from the new skills of returning migrants. But they also suffer from the outflow of qualified professionals. In the meantime, some of the new Member States are now grappling themselves with a new status as immigration countries.

EUMAP invited authors to analyse the impact and background of intra-EU mobility and migration, both in the countries of destination and the countries of origin. It is pleased to now present a first set of four papers by independent contributors. A second set of papers will appear in May.

(Photo used under a Creative Commons license from wildphotons.)

Part 1 – East-West transitions: the challenges and opportunities for East-European emigrants and West-European societies

Publication date: 14 April 2008

All New Migration Debates Commence in Rome: New Developments in the Securitization of Migration in the EU
Irina Angelescu
"The heated debate that erupted in the Italian media and political arena following the murder of an Italian national by a Romanian immigrant, and the decree adopted by the Italian government in its wake, became the catalyst for a wider discussion on intra-European migration. Far from encouraging social cohesion, the integration of migrants and good relations between EU member states, the measures adopted by the Italian government led to a temporary deterioration in all those fields."

'At Least They Are the Right Colour': East to West Migration in Europe, Seen from the Perspective of the British Press
Pavla Cekalova
"To see the East to West migration process from the perspective of the British press reveals how choices made by the media in their reporting can reinforce xenophobia, racism and prejudices. Reporting, however, can also counter prejudices and fears and emphasize the benefits the newcomers have yielded for the country. This article presents some of the most common perspectives that dominated in the British press regarding the Central and Eastern European newcomers."

Germany Restricted the Freedom of Movement for Polish Citizens – but Does It Matter?
Simon Fellmer
"During the EU accession negotiations with Poland, Germany insisted on being allowed to restrict the access to its labour market. At the same time, however, experts observed with alarm that Germany was starting to run out of doctors. This article describes the legal possibilities for Polish doctors to migrate to Germany before and after Accession; but it also examines what most influenced their decision to emigrate. The nature of migration laws is not the most influential factor."

From Learners to Teachers: Human Capital Accumulation among the Romanian Migrant Workers in the UK
Sînziana-Elena Poiană
"Romanian immigrants in the UK face a range of challenges, educational, career-wise and cultural. Employing data collected through ethnographic interviews and participative observation, I will illustrate the concern for human capital accumulation that Romanian migrants who arrived before 2007 have shown, as they have worked to establish themselves in new jobs in a new country. When remitted, this capital can have a significant positive impact in the long term on Romania’s future development."